Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., April 19, 2021)

Summary

This is S2002 of the Congressional Record, Senate, April 19, 2021, with interleaved columns of remarks by Mr. Schumer. He speaks on legislation to strengthen the Department of Justice's ability to prosecute hate crimes against Asian Americans. Under the heading Coronavirus, he says the Treasury Department announced that nearly 159 million stimulus payments, $376 billion, have reached people across the country, and that jobless claims fell to their lowest level since the start of the pandemic. He also says he will move to take up a bipartisan water infrastructure bill, the Drinking Water and Infrastructure Act, with the views and figures attributed to Mr. Schumer.

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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., April 19, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-04-19-crec-2021-04-19-pt1-pgs2002-6b5af81a0d/, SHA-256 4c4fb31ea7a38f96862a8f1579c5c22f02fea417297c9fd181264ed30b51f9cc.

Full text

S2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
So we must act. We must act both to searchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, the Director of the National Economic
strengthen the Department of Justice’s and all the public health workers who Council, Brian Deese, on the same sub-
ability to prosecute more hate crimes have made this possible. ject.
and to pay attention to hate crimes Thanks to the American Rescue As the Senate begins to shape the
and to calculate their number, but also Plan, our economy has gotten its own contours of a comprehensive infra-
to send a message—two messages, in shot in the arm. The Treasury Depart- structure bill, I will soon move to have
fact: one to our Asian-American ment announced that nearly 159 mil- the Senate take up a bipartisan water
friends—a great 6 percent of America lion stimulus payments—$376 billion— infrastructure bill. This legislation,
and 10 percent of New York is Asian have reached people across the coun- the Drinking Water and Infrastructure
American—that you are us, we are all try. Last week, jobless claims fell to Act, was advanced by the Environment
Americans together, and we welcome their lowest levels since the start of and Public Works Committee on a
you being here. I, for one, like you, the pandemic. Global consumer con- unanimous vote earlier this year. It
Madam President, would welcome more fidence is now higher than it was even will authorize tens of billions of dollars
Asian immigrants coming to America. before the pandemic. Across the coun- to make sure American families, espe-
But second is a message to those who try, the American Rescue Plan is accel- cially low-income families, have access
perpetrate these awful acts: You are erating our economic recovery. Con- to safe and clean drinking water.
not American. We despise what you do, sumer spending is up, businesses are The drinking water bill could rep-
and we are going to remain vigilant gradually reopening, and American resent a small but important first step
until this kind of bigotry is diminished workers are regaining hope and reen- in bringing our two parties together on
and maybe even snuffed out. tering the workforce. the work on infrastructure. I salute the
f Thanks to our historic investment in chairman of EPW, TOM CARPER of Dela-
American workers, American families, ware, and the ranking member, Sen-
CORONAVIRUS and the American economy, brighter ator CAPITO of West Virginia, for com-
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, on days are just around the corner. All of ing together on the legislation. We
another matter, for the last year, the us who worked hard on passing the look forward to working with our Re-
country has faced a daunting series of ARP and the previous legislation can publican colleagues later this work pe-
crises. After such a difficult year, it is be very proud of what we were able to riod to get that piece of legislation
important to take stock of how the do. Now, of course, we are not com- done.
country is finally, finally starting to pletely out of the woods yet. Despite I yield the floor.
recover. the roaring success of the American I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Over a month ago, Senate Democrats Rescue Plan, we must continue to bol- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
passed the American Rescue Plan, su- ster our economic recovery and create pore. The clerk will call the roll.
percharging our Nation’s vaccination good-paying jobs for American work- The legislative clerk proceeded to
drive and putting thousands of dollars ers. That is why infrastructure—big, call the roll.
into the pockets of Americans who bold infrastructure—remains at the top Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
needed it most. Already, the benefits of our priority list. ask unanimous consent that the order
are pouring in. There isn’t a community in this for the quorum call be rescinded.
Yesterday, the CDC announced that country without some glaring infra- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
the country had reached a truly re- structure challenges, be they crum- pore. Without objection, it is so or-
markable milestone. Over half of U.S. bling roads, bridges, or school build- dered.
adults, 130 million Americans, have re- ings, aging sewer systems, housing f
ceived at least one dose of the COVID– properties, or unreliable internet. If
19 vaccine. It is the result of a rapidly America is going to compete in the 21st CONCLUSION OF MORNING
accelerating pace of distribution, century, we can’t have an infrastruc- BUSINESS
which we in the Senate—many of us— ture that is stuck in the last century, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pushed for, first in the December bill so Congress, in coordination with the pore. Morning business is closed.
and then in the ARP bill. The country Biden administration, is going to work f
now averages over 3 million doses per on a comprehensive jobs and infra-
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
day. structure bill this year.
Even better news arrived this morn- Today at the White House, President ---
ing. Starting today, every single adult Biden will meet with Members from COVID–19 HATE CRIMES ACT
in the United States is eligible to get both parties to continue bipartisan dis-
vaccinated. Let me say that again. All cussions on an infrastructure package. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
U.S. adults in all 50 States, Wash- The President has reiterated his inten- pore. Under the previous order, the
ington, DC, and Puerto Rico are now tion and desire to work in good faith Senate will resume consideration of S.
eligible to get the vaccine, meeting the with our Republican colleagues. Hope- 937, which the clerk will report.
deadline President Biden set just 2 fully, our Republican colleagues share The legislative clerk read as follows:
weeks ago. that willingness and desire. Reliably A bill (S. 937) to facilitate the expedited re-
view of COVID–19 hate crimes, and for other
I urge all Americans to go online, investing in our Nation’s infrastruc-
purposes.
find a location where vaccines are ture used to unite our two parties. It
AMENDMENT NO. 1445
being administered, and get the vac- can do so again.
cine. Register, sign up, call in. Do Here in Congress, we are going to (Purpose: To improve the bill.)
whatever you need to do to make your- start getting our teeth into the details Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
self an appointment. This is about pro- of an infrastructure package. Right have an amendment at the desk, and I
tecting yourself and protecting your here in the Senate, there are numerous ask for its immediate consideration.
family. We are on our way to beating activities going on this week. Tomor- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
COVID–19, but everyone needs to do row, the Senate Appropriations Com- pore. The clerk will report the amend-
their part, and part of doing your part mittee will hear from four Cabinet- ment.
is being vaccinated. level officials on the details of the The legislative clerk read as follows:
Inoculating a country of 330 million American Jobs Plan: Secretaries The Senator from New York [Mr. SCHUMER]
people—a country the size of a con- Buttigieg, Raimondo, and Fudge, as for Ms. HIRONO and Ms. COLLINS proposes an
tinent—is a momentous task. The fact well as EPA Administrator Michael amendment numbered 1445.

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
that we have already reached the half- Regan. Later in the week, the Demo- Mr. SCHUMER. I ask to dispense
way point in 4 short months is a credit cratic Steering and Outreach Com- with further reading of the amend-
to the Biden administration and our mittee will hear from Secretaries ment.
work here in Congress to fund vaccine Buttigieg and Raimondo on the Presi- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
production and distribution, and it is a dent’s Build Back Better agenda, and pore. Without objection, it is so or-
credit to the thousands of medical re- the Democratic caucus will meet with dered.

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